Chapter 128: NBA

Disney's comic adaptation blockbuster The Rocketeer premiered in North America in late June, earning $9.6 million in its first week across 1,616 theaters.

The media's reviews weren't high either, and after ten days, the box office just surpassed $20 million.

Jennifer Connelly lethargically walked into Arthur's office at Galaxy Corporation. The flop of The Rocketeer didn't need much elaboration.

Jennifer Connelly had faced a series of setbacks in her recent films. The Rocketeer was a substantial commercial production by Disney, and its failure had a much bigger impact than previous low-budget indie films.

"Last year's release, Dick Tracy, was also a Disney comic adaptation. With an investment of less than $50 million, it grossed hundreds of millions worldwide and was considered quite successful.

However, Disney's release this year, The Rocketeer, has failed. It can only be said that comic adaptations are still not very fitting right now. Even Captain America last year didn't make much of a splash!"

Arthur comforted Jennifer Connelly.

"But the sequel to the live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles did pretty well at the box office this year," Jennifer Connelly said with a look of distress, sitting on the sofa.

"No worries, Scent of a Woman will make you shine," Arthur said, patting Jennifer Connelly's shoulder.

"Tonight, let's go to the Lakers' home court to watch Game 5 of the finals between the Bulls and the Lakers. The Bulls are going to win the championship tonight at the Lakers' home court," Arthur said as he wrapped his arm around Jennifer Connelly's waist.

Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to the finals for the first time, facing off against Magic Johnson's Lakers.

After losing the first game, the Bulls won three consecutive games, making the total score 3-1. The fifth game would be held at the Lakers' home court, the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles.

"Hmm," Jennifer Connelly nodded, leaning into Arthur's embrace. "Do you still have time to watch basketball games?"

"No matter how busy I am, I wouldn't miss games," Arthur smiled. Now that he was a millionaire, why not catch a few games?

Arthur whispered into Jennifer Connelly's ear, "We'll watch them play ball first, and later tonight, I'll play with yours."

In the evening, Arthur and Jennifer Connelly showed up near the Lakers' home court at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Los Angeles.

The enthusiastic crowd seemed to make the entire arena boil. After Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's retirement, the Lakers, led by Magic Johnson, remained a strong team.

"Arthur, I've always heard that Jack Nicholson is a die-hard Lakers fan. Seems like it's true!" Jennifer Connelly pointed to Jack Nicholson, who was cheering fervently for the Lakers courtside.

Looking over, Arthur chuckled, "The Bulls are going to win the championship; the Lakers can't stop them. Besides Michael Jordan being consistently amazing, Scottie Pippen's defense against Magic has also been very successful!"

Arthur knew that Jordan's Bulls dynasty was about to begin, after being blocked from the finals by the Pistons' "Bad Boys" for several years.

It was Michael Jordan's first time in the finals, and his hunger for the championship was unmistakable!

At this time, the NBA salary cap was still relatively low, and club values weren't astronomical. Owning an NBA club was definitely a good investment.

Arthur most wanted to own a team in New York or Los Angeles. Currently, the New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden Center were assets of Gulf and Western Industries.

Yes, the Knicks and Paramount shared the same parent company!

Regarding the Los Angeles teams, the Lakers belonged to Jerry Buss, and the Clippers to Donald Sterling.

"Donald Sterling, a lawyer turned real estate mogul, seems to have been business partners early on with Lakers owner Jerry Buss," Arthur thought while watching the game, considering if he should target the Clippers. After all, the Knicks were very expensive, and Jerry Buss wouldn't sell the Lakers.

Though based in the same city, the Lakers were an NBA powerhouse while the Clippers were a perennial underdog.

Donald Sterling was also known as a notorious miser in the NBA, having changed the team's name several times from the Buffalo Braves to the San Diego Clippers, and finally to the Los Angeles Clippers in 1984.

The game ended with the Chicago Bulls defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 108-101 in Game 5, winning the 1990-91 NBA championship with a total score of 4-1.

Chicago Bulls' star Michael Jordan was named the Finals MVP!

"Look, Jordan is crying," Arthur pointed to Michael Jordan, who was holding the championship trophy and shedding tears.

Jennifer Connelly glanced at Arthur, smiling, "You said before that Michael Jordan would establish a Bulls dynasty. Looks like it might actually happen!"

"Alright, let's go back," Arthur had come mainly to witness Michael Jordan's first championship moment, and having seen it, he was satisfied.

Michael Jordan had signed an eight-year, $25 million contract with the Bulls in 1988.

Next, Scottie Pippen would insist on signing a seven-year, $18 million contract with the Bulls, only to regret it later when the NBA salary cap surged!

Later that night, in the bedroom of Arthur's Palisades seaside villa.

Arthur lay on top of Jennifer Connelly, playing with her 34D assets, "Darling, take a look at houses in Malibu for me in the coming days!"

"Malibu? They just established a city this year. Are you planning to move?" Jennifer Connelly opened her eyes and looked at the man above her. "Or is it an investment? The real estate market is in a slump now!"

Arthur pecked Jennifer Connelly's lips and smiled, "Both investment and personal use. Besides, it's worth investing in a slump!"

Malibu, a narrow coastal strip in western Los Angeles, backed by the Santa Monica Mountains and facing the Pacific Ocean, boasts a long coastline.

With picturesque scenery, it's a far cry from the bustling city. It has long been a retreat for Hollywood stars with its high incomes and low population of only 12,000. It was just established as a city and formed its own city council in March this year.

Silence of the Lambs earned Arthur a lot of money. Can't he enjoy it a bit?

"So soon, you want me to start fulfilling my duties as a personal assistant?" Jennifer Connelly caressed Arthur's back, pressing close to his chest.

"Aren't you already doing that?" Arthur said, moving his hips...

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